Public Law 15-127, which was signed into law in February of ‘08, prohibits the SALE, POSSESSION OR USE of fireworks, except those consigned to the CNMI or federal government — not to be discharged except under the direct supervision of one of the said governments — or those authorized for public or private display by permit from the fire chief.
Under the law, sparklers, caps as used in toy pistols, snakes and similar smoke-producing material, model rockets and rocket motors, and something identified as “those items described in ORS 480.127(4)” are exempted from the prohibition, but what I am hearing, and what is going off are not merely caps — they are far noisier booms. Nor are they “display” fireworks. They’re just plain noise-makers, or as the law puts it, “explosive-like firecrackers.”
P.L. 15-127 was passed because of a concern for the safety of the island’s children — several of whom had been injured in the months just preceding passage of the law — because of a concern for tourists, who had complained about the loud noises late at night and because of a concern for everyone else affected by the noisy explosions.
Is there no longer a concern for the health and safety of the island’s children? Is there no longer a concern for tourists? Is there no longer an interest in enforcing the law?
The fact that a law that is less than two years old is already being ignored just confirms the impression that the CNMI is a lawless place where crime goes unpunished.
Commissioner of Public Safety, attorney general, won’t you please exercise your authority so that island residents — and tourists — are able to observe and respect the peace and love of the holiday season?
RUTH L. TIGHE
Tanapag, Saipan
